Manchester City Council has just scooped the title of ‘Council of the Year’ for 2022 at a prestigious awards show.
The Council took the coveted title for its “ambition, innovation, and civic leadership” at the annual LGC (Local Government Chronicle) Awards last night, as was particularly praised for the support it gave city throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as its “refreshed focus” on putting people at the heart of everything it does.
LGC Awards judges said they were impressed by “the united approach of staff, partners and residents”, and the way the Council works with partner organisations and residents to “shape services and projects” and “get results”.
“The Council is a generous partner that has transformed services with outcomes which buck the national trend,” the judges added.
It was also a year which saw the city’s children’s services rated as ‘good’ by Ofsted, which put them among the best in the North West – a huge turnaround from when they had been classed as ‘inadequate’ in 2014.
The Council’s ongoing Our Year campaign, which works to create activities and opportunities for young people post-pandemic, was also praised highly by the judges.
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The judges also commended the Council for its health and care integration across the city, putting it ahead of the national agenda on integrated care systems, and its ambitious plans to oversee the creation of 10,000 social and affordable homes over the next 10 years.
LGC Awards judges also commended the Council for its response to the climate crisis too.
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Manchester City Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig and Chief Executive Joanne Roney OBE with the award / Credit: Bev Craig (via Twitter)
“We know that Manchester is a fantastic place and it’s a great honour to receive this accolade from our peers in local government recognising the councils leadership,” said Cllr Bev Craig.
“While it is really pleasing to be recognised in this way the real reward is making a positive difference and we remain fixed on our goal of becoming a top flight world city that’s inclusive, sustainable and more equal – a city which puts its people at its heart.”
Molly-Mae Hague and adidas drop new collection inspired by matcha and iced lattes
Daisy Jackson
Today, adidas has finally released its hotly-anticipated parnership with Manchester-based influencer Molly-Mae Hague.
The social media superstar has collaborated with the sportswear giant for a limited-edition footwear collection inspired by matchas and iced lattes.
Molly-Mae and adidas Originals have just given fans a look at the shoes for the first time.
The star has curated a limited-edition collection of iconic Originals silhouettes – a Samba and a Superstar.
The first is the Samba Matcha shoes, a premium leather and suede shoe in a soft green colour, with double pink and white laces.
The other is a Superstar II Latte, which again features double laces in coffee-coloured hues, but in the iconic leather Superstar silhouette.
In behind-the-scenes footage of the design process on Molly-Mae’s Amazon Prime documentary series, Behind It All, she described them as ‘matcha cool girl in London’ shoes – and the vision has definitely come to life.
Molly-Mae said: “Seeing my creative vision come to life on two iconic adidas Originals silhouettes that have long been staples in my wardrobe is a true dream.
“Being so closely involved in the design process and creating products that feel fun, timeless, and an authentic extension of my own personal style has been the best experience.
“I am so excited to see how others style them in their own way.”
Steve Marks, VP Brand adidas UK commented: “At adidas, we partner with individuals who define style through authenticity and a deep-rooted connection to our brand.
“Molly-Mae’s relationship with adidas Originals has developed organically over time as a key advocate of the brand and this partnership represents a natural evolution – bringing her signature aesthetic to two of our most iconic silhouettes.”
The limited-edition adidas Originals x Molly-Mae collection drops in stores and online on 9 April, priced at £100 per pair.
Greater Manchester’s homicide rates have now dropped to a ‘historic’ low
Emily Sergeant
Homicide rates in Greater Manchester are now at the lowest they’ve been for 25 years, according to new figures.
Thanks to a major programme introduced by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to prevent violent crime and keep communities safe, known as the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), it has been revealed that the region’s homicide rate has fallen by 32% in 2025 to what is its lowest level on record since 1990.
If you’re unfamiliar with what the VRU is, it brings together GMP, Greater Manchester Probation Service, health and education professionals, youth justice, local authorities, and the voluntary, community and faith sector to address the underlying causes of violent crime.
It’s this multi-agency approach that’s said to be delivering ‘tangible results’ and driving a reduction in violent crime in Greater Manchester.
As well as homicide rates, the VRU’s partnership work with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is also said to be having ‘major impact’ across the region on issues like knife crime.
Thanks to operational activity helping to disrupt serious violence and remove more weapons from the region’s streets, the police have also recorded that knife crime in Greater Manchester has fallen by 15% in the last year too.
Following a steady decline since 2021, rates of personal robbery have fallen by 17% in the last year in Greater Manchester.
Greater Manchester’s homicide rates have now dropped to a ‘historic’ low / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Additionally, A&E attendances due to assault decreased by 3% in the same time period, with a 9% reduction among young people aged 10–24, and ambulance callouts for assault also fell by 9% in relation to this.
GMCA says that the reductions in demand for emergency services, as revealed in the latest figures, prove just how much the VRU’s combined prevention and enforcement approach is working.
“These latest figures show the real progress being made in tackling violent crime and making our streets safer,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham.
“Reductions in knife crime and homicides don’t happen by chance – they come from early intervention, our strong partnership with the police and our work with communities to tackle the root causes of violence.”
Emily Sergeant -
21st July 2022 
